Toto Wolff Breaks Silence: Two Unexpected Issues Behind Russell’s Contract Delay – And What It Means for Verstappen
George Russell is out of contract at the end of the season and Mercedes have been courting Max Verstappen amid ongoing speculation that he could walk away from Red Bull
Toto Wolff and George Russell have yet to agree a contract extension for the Brit(Image: Getty Images)
Toto Wolff has explained why George Russell has yet to sign a new contract with Mercedes despite his current deal expiring in a matter of months. The situation has led to increased speculation that the Brit could be replaced by Max Verstappen if the Silver Arrows can convince the Dutchman to quit Red Bull.
Russell is out of contract at the end of the year and has always shown confidence in public that he will land an extension. However, he admitted on Thursday ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix that confirmation of a new deal before the approaching Formula 1 summer break is “unlikely”.
Verstappen has been constantly linked with a move to Mercedes and has refused to state directly in public that he will remain with Red Bull in 2026. But it is understood that is his most likely course of action as it stands.
And Mercedes team principal Wolff has made it clear that he is very likely to stick with his current pairing of Russell and teenage prodigy Kimi Antonelli. “There is the largest of probabilities. Nothing is 100 percent, [but] this is going to be the line-up for next year,” he told Sky Sports.
Russell was the one who sparked the rumours of a Verstappen switch several weeks ago by revealing that his team had been in contact with the Dutchman. But Wolff does not believe that his driver did so in a bid to secure his own future.
Giving two reasons why Russell has yet to put pen to paper, the Austrian said: “[The media] make a lot of pressure, because it’s an interesting topic. But it’s completely normal that we have these negotiations and discussions. Every driver wants a better car and more money, that’s completely normal behaviour and that’s not going to be the crucial point.
“He’s now triggered the whole media avalanche. It’s maybe naïve, but I try to be transparent with the drivers and I said to him, ‘Listen, I have the obligation of exploring what Max is going to do in the next few years’. I think he just came out with it to show, ‘I’m aware of what’s going on, there’s nothing going on behind my back and I’m fine with it’.”
Russell is enjoying the strongest season of his F1 career despite all the talk around his future, built on an excellent foundation. A remarkably consistent start to the season saw him finish in the top five in the first six races of 2025, with four podiums.
Mercedes’ performance has fluctuated more dramatically in recent outings, but Russell still managed a first victory of the year in Canada last month. He sits fourth in the drivers’ standings with 147 points, 18 behind Verstappen in third place.
But Wolff does not believe that the speculation over Russell’s future has boosted his performances, and said: “As a driver, he’s so mature and stable that I don’t think it makes any difference in performance. On the contrary, I would prefer him to have a safe place a little bit earlier. We haven’t managed to do that, but I’m optimistic that he’s going to sleep well over the summer break.”
